Development of a three-dimensional in vitro model system to study orthodontic tooth movement

Few three-dimensional (3-D) models exist to study the cellular aspects and molecular regulation of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). The aim of this study was to develop a 3-D in vitro model to study mechanical loading of human periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts (hPDLF). hPDLF were seeded within collagen gels to form a PDLF analogue. Characterisation of the seeded collagen gels revealed that the gels supported cell proliferation, viability and the emergence of a possible contractile phenotype, replicating the constrained condition of the human PDL in vivo. We next developed a 3-D model that incorporated a seeded collagen gel interlocked mechanically at two ends to movable end plates. The movable end plates allowed for static tensile or compressive loading of the hPDLF-seeded collagen gels. Preliminary testings showed that this 3-D model mimicked PDL strains similar to those observed during OTM. Our 3-D model of OTM therefore offers promise for use as a model system in future studies to improve our understanding of the effects of OTM on PDLF.